Alaska reports record 1,330 new COVID cases and 7 deaths
Alaska on Thursday reported another daily record for new coronavirus cases, and it also recorded seven new deaths and a nearly 5% jump in hospitalizations as the state contends with its worst COVID-19 surge so far.
Low teenage turnout for vaccine increases COVID case rate in Alaska
We’re a month into the school year and Alaska is experiencing peak Covid-19 cases and a hospital system at max capacity. Alaska Public Media’s Jeff Chen looks at how low teenage turnout for the Covid vaccine increases case rates in Alaska.
St. Paul island has recorded just 2 COVID cases since the pandemic started
A city official says the island’s high vaccination rate and strict protocols, like mandatory testing, have kept the virus from spreading.
Alaska Native graduate program aims to elevate Indigenous knowledge in fisheries research
It's called Tamamta, a Yup'ik and Sugpiaq word that means "all of us" or "we", and it's part of UAF's College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.
Birds thrived where humans feared to tread during the pandemic, scientists say
A new study shows that as people mostly remained indoors during lockdowns last year, many bird species found less noisy and polluted cities more inviting.
Boatbuilder sentenced for defrauding 22 customers, including Village of Igiugig
Michael Dismer received more than $4 million from customers but he never fully delivered on his promises, instead spending much of the money on personal expenses.
400 health care workers on their way to help fight Alaska’s COVID-19 surge
Gov. Mike Dunleavy painted a stark picture of the state’s COVID-19 woes as a surge in cases of the Delta variant put hospitals in crisis mode.
Inside of Alaska Native Medical Center’s ICU, doctors and nurses fight to keep COVID patients alive
Nurses at ANMC say aside from long hours and the emotional toll of seeing Alaskans dying from the coronavirus, they’re also dealing with people doubting their intentions.
From a fossilized tusk, UAF researchers unravel the story of Kik the woolly mammoth
The scientists found clues about Kik’s life in the isotopes in the fossil.
Kotzebue man sentenced to 99 years in death of 10-year-old Ashley Johnson-Barr
Peter Vance Wilson, 44, had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of murder and sexual abuse of 10-year-old Ashley Johnson-Barr.
Here’s when Alaskans can expect to get this year’s PFD
Permanent fund dividends will likely hit Alaskans' bank accounts in the middle of October, says the state Department of Revenue.
An invasive parasite is taking over Alaska blue mud shrimp. Researchers want to kill it.
Orthione griffenis, or O. griffenis, eventually kills its host shrimp, and soon the remaining shrimp can’t find each other to reproduce, rendering a blue mud shrimp population extinct.
Anchorage’s early snow unofficial but pleasing to zoo’s polar bears, otters
Snow blanketed parts of Alaska’s largest city Tuesday morning, as Anchorage saw an early, though unofficial, first snowfall of the season. It's technically unofficial because none was reported at the National Weather Service’s official measuring spot on the city’s west side.
Faced with dozens of open jobs, Lower Kuskokwim schools look outside the U.S. for teachers
This year was the first time the Lower Kuskokwim School District recruited and hired teachers from outside of the United States. It had dozens of open jobs in the months leading up to the school year, and the pandemic made a tough hiring market even more difficult.
Following JBER, Eielson Air Force Base restricts interactions off-base due to COVID
Eielson Air Force Base in Interior Alaska has increased its COVID-19 precautions after Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s commander declared a public health emergency on Friday due to a surge in COVID cases.
Searching for solutions to Alaska’s high rate of deadly air crashes
Our investigation revealed that Alaska has a growing share of the country’s deadly crashes from small commercial flights. Here’s what experts say could be done to improve aviation safety in the state.
Unvaccinated Bethel city employees demand more time to consider vaccine mandate
City of Bethel employees have a week to either get their first COVID-19 vaccine dose or get fired. Most city employees are already vaccinated; less than 15% are not. Part of the unvaccinated minority is demanding more time and more education to learn about the vaccine.
Alaska Redistricting Board’s first drafts draw criticism and alternate plans
In one draft map, seven Democratic representatives were combined in three districts, while no Republicans were.
Alaska’s largest hospital expects health care rationing to last weeks
Dr. Kristen Solana Walkinshaw, chief of medical staff at Providence Alaska Medical Center, says the hospital is likely to continue on its crisis footing for at least another two weeks.
Anchorage mask ordinance could sidestep mayor’s opposition to public health mandates
A proposed ordinance requiring masks indoors and at large outdoor gatherings in Anchorage was introduced to the Assembly Monday at a special meeting. It comes amid increasing alarm from Anchorage hospitals, which are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.